Choral Choir (SATB) - Level 3 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.926664
Composed by Michael A. Morizio. A Cappella,Christian,Sacred. Octavo. 8 pages. M.A. Morizio #3588427. Published by M.A. Morizio (A0.926664).
The Apostle John’s visions in Revelation are nothing less than astounding to all readers. However, little is it known that another Hymn to Christ is neatly tucked into the very first seven verses of this last book of the Bible. John begins his Revelation (verses 1-3) with a prelude, introducing Jesus Christ and the apocalypse (revelation) that was made to him via the angel sent to describe all the things about which he was to write. He says, Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and keep what is written in it, for the time is near. After this short prelude, John delivers an epistolary opening (a greeting identifying the author and recipients), then pronounces a blessing upon the recipients-verses 4-6. After both the prelude and the opening, John immediately proceeds to another known Hymn to Christ, in verse 7, which I have called, Behold He Is Coming.
When presented with the text in Revelation 1:7, I immediately thought, Where is the Gospel, the good news, in this piece? After several minutes of meditating on the text, I realized the Gospel message was right there in front of me-in the very last line: Yes, so be it [Lord], so be it, [Amen!] There will be peace! All will be known. Every single person will understand, at that point. The end, is the ushering in of a new beginning.
The piece is scored in G minor for SATB with flute and Bâ™ clarinet accompaniment. In the opening phrase, we hear the clarinet on a sustained high (concert) G, which crescendos into a quick, descending sixteenth note pattern.
There is urgency! The flute joins the clarinet in a duet to complete the introduction to the anthem. Then, the choir begins their haunting chant, Behold, He is coming with the clouds. Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him. Every eye will see Him and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him . Alas, there is peace! The two instruments dissolve into an a cappella four-part chorale where the choir creates the agreement between the text and the music, modulating to the relative major (Bâ™)-all is reconciled in a final Amen!
